Help Yummvees

Hi everyone....I think at this stage, my ego is gone, and my deep seeded desire is forcing me to take this route. And as hard as it is...I need your help.

This little business started in my home back in 2016 - all perpetuated by the death of my child. I was determined to do something in his name, for his legacy, and for him to stay a constant in my life, being more than a "memory". We made food for bereaved parents, donated food and money, all small gestures to those of us who have experienced such a trauma - but at the same time, when my child died, a friend fed me. She fed me. And, it kept me alive during a time where I could barely move or think. My whole premise of this business was to do the same for others. That was it. Help the bereaved parents and families....help those suffering.  Help those that cannot help themselves right now.  It is my "WHY" and what gets me out of bed every, single day. Even, on the days that getting out of bed still feels like torture. 

What we started, became something I never, ever expected. I took a severe leap of faith when I signed the lease for our brick and mortar, smack in the middle of Covid. But I felt so strongly in its mission and purpose (and secretly always wanted this little spot in this odd shopping center). Starting a business with a limited resources, is well, scary. But, never, in my wildest dreams, did I think we would grow so fast (tooo fast in our case). Never. The support from the community, the new faces finding us from word of mouth...my god, to say it's humbling, would be an understatement. Many days on drives home, I've been brought to tears just learning about customers stories like my own (child death). I have learned more than I could ever had imagined just from getting to know so many like me. It has been, a true honor.

This past summer, after failed attempts at finding the right investors (this has been a self funded project with family helping along the way), I had to make really hard choices and do some layoffs. It killed me. Still does - and keeps me up many nights (small business owners get this). I had to, in order to cut my payroll expenses by half and get finances better aligned. There was never a "backup" fund. And that, has been hard.  I thought we needed the staff that we did, and although we are short staffed now, we never needed what we had in the beginning and the start of 2022. These are the sad learning curves of a new business. 

Our growth became a lot, but right along with that came skyrocketing food costs, equipment breaking, having to close a few times for for days on end for repairs, and lots of other things that hurt us. The financial health of the business is finally, finally, recouping. BUT, not fast enough. The influx of catering requests are coming (thank you to everyone who lets us be a part of your special events!!!!) and I feel 100% confident about our catering future (if something drastic happens). But not, about the next month as far as the Resturant goes. 

I have a wonderful landlord who has gone above and beyond to help me ride these waves. But, our expenses from the first year and a half hurt me tremendously. I am now in a position to where if I cannot bring bills up to date, at the end of February, we will not be able to sustain this little gem. This is painful for me to write, for a million reasons. Although we can continue our catering through a commissary, I do NOT want to lose this Resturant.

I have a team of people that have riden this nerve wracking ride with me. Coming in even though pays have been late, showing a work ethic like I've never seen before. They have shown me compassion, understanding, and love during a hard year. They have stuck it out with me, yet another reason, my ego is thrown out the door. I WANT to continue this journey with them. I always saw Yummvees opening a second location on the end of 2023. It was the plan. That has shifted more to short term survival. And because I feel so strongly about our future, and because I haven't found the right resources that make me feel comfortable (without digging a deeper hole), I am now, reaching out for help.

I'm going to fight until the end. This is how important I feel what we do, is. Customer smiles, reviews, those we have helped through charitable fundraising for people in need - it's what this place is about.

I need help with the following:

-rent payments up to date as I can't meet my arrangements any longer with my landlord due to so many issues over the past 6 months with enormous expenses - closing one week for kitchen repairs really hurt us

-updated plumbing for our kitchen

-buffer funds for ease in food purchases (weekly struggle - even drilling it down)

-funds to be a little more on top of some vendor bills that are quite large.

We have until the end of February to accomplish this, and I am taking every Avenue I can think of. Unfortunately, timing is not on my side.

I want this place to stay in our community. I want to see a second location. I want to continue the mission work of what we do (haven't even begun to touch the surface here). I'm not ready - not one ounce - to give up yet. With the coming events we have in the summer (weddings and private events) I know we will regain that buffer, but the news of having to bring multiple bills up to date NOW, well, I've exhausted all of my personal options over these 2.5 years. I'm all in. I believe it in that much. Plus, numbers don't lie. We have done so well for being in infancy stages, and we have only just begun. Sadly, buffer funds come from sales, and due to extenuating circumstances that happen, have depleted so quickly. 

I am asking, if you can, for help to bridge us through this hurdle. It's taking a lot for me to go this route. A lot. But, I want Yummvees to be a long standing community staple. For vegans, and non vegans alike. I believe in us, in my team, and I know, great things can come. Please....share our story if you can!!!! Sharing can be huge

If you can help us, we need to raise some cash. Fast. I know folks are suffering all over, especially small businesses, but we will do everything in our power to make sure we make you proud.

Thank you for reading this long, wordy sob story. I am determined to get us to a good spot. If you are able to help us, I will be forever grateful to you.

This little business is part of me in a way that I almost cannot describe, and no matter what the outcome, I truly hope that we have made a small positive impact in the lives of people reading this. Whether we have raised money for your cause, gave you a warm smile on a hard day, or just filled you with good comfort food, I am beyond grateful to had been given this journey. If it must reshape itself, so be it. We aren't totally going away. We will just go back to only catering and as much as I love that piece - the Resturant is my heart.  The people (staff and customers) are my heart. 

Thank you, to everyone who supports us daily. Words can never express the personal happiness I feel every single day - even, when times are extremely hard.

Ego aside....everything aside....this is the time for me to really ask for support. I waited a little too long, thinking we could climb out....and issue, after issue, after issue happened (just like real life ) and now, it a problem that I just cannot solve on my own. Can't even believe I'm taking this route, as although I'm a very open person, I'm also very private. This shows me, how much I love this place, its people, and its customers.

Thank you, for taking the time to read this. Please review our website, www.yummvees.com, Instagram and Facebook, Google reviews etc to learn more about us. It's a very, special place